What is malachite green?

Malachite green is a synthetic dye used to colour silk, wool, jute, leather, cotton and paper. The name comes from the similarity of colour of malachite green to the mineral, malachite. Malachite green has traditionally been used to treat fungal infections on fish eggs. Leucomalachite, produced through the transformation of malachite green, may persist in fish tissues for long periods.

Can malachite green be used in Canadian aqualculture?

Malachite green can not be present in fish destined for human consumption. A Health Canada risk assessment in 1992 determined that the potential carcinogenic properties of malachite green rendered it unsuitable for use on food fish. As a result, Health Canada will not establish a tolerance level for malachite green or leucomalachite green. Fish and fish products containing any level are considered adulterated food under the Food and Drugs Act. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) added testing for malachite green and leucomalachite green to their seafood program in 2003/04. The CFIA is responsible for monitoring to ensure that fish and fish products meet the requirements of the Fish Inspection Act and the Food and Drugs Act. In 2005, traces of malachite green or its metabolite, leucomalchite green were detected in farmed salmon and trout in Canada and in imported farmed fish. However, most sampling results have been negative, indicating that the presence of malachite green does not appear to be wide spread. Each incident where trace levels of malachite green was found has been thoroughly investigated and the appropriate action was taken to detain or prevent unconsumed product from entering the food chain. Health Canada's Veterinary Drug Directorate approves the sale of, and ensures that all drugs sold in Canada for use in animals are safe, and that the proper use does not result in harmful residue levels in human foods. There are only three fungicide/disinfectants approved for food fish use in Canada: formaldehyde, high salt concentrations and hydrogen peroxide.

Is malachite green toxic?

There are no known or expected human health effects from consuming fish products at the low levels detected by the CFIA in farmed salmon and trout. Health Canada has classified malachite green contamination in fish as a Class II Health Hazard which means the probability of adverse health consequences is considered remote. As there is no immediate risk to human health, Health Canada is not recommending any specific course of action to consumers who may have eaten the contaminated fish. Research has indicated that malachite green can be toxic to human cells and promotes liver tumor formation in rodents. Due to potentially harmful human health effects, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration nominated malachite green as a priority chemical for toxicity and carcinogenicity testing in 1993. The results of the rodent studies found liver toxicity, anemia and thyroid abnormalities. The significance of these results to human health is unknown at this time. It is very unlikely that adverse effects will result by eating fish with the very low levels of malachite green and leucomalachite green

detected. Other countries have established minimum performance levels for sampling. The levels reported in Canada fall well below the European threshold of 2 parts per billion.

Why is malachite green still found in fish?

Malachite green is inexpensive, effective and readily available for other, non-aquaculture uses, and continues to be used in many parts of the world due to lack of an authorized alternative. Alternative therapeutic drugs are approved for aquaculture use in other countries, such as Japan and the European Union, which export a large percent of the aquacultural products consumed in North America. Regulations and laws that differ from country to country can also lead to detection and enforcement difficulties. Information Sources: Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Animal Products Directorate, Fish, Seafood and Production. (2005, June 6). Communique: non-permitted (banned, unapproved) therapeutants. Retrieved June 29, 2005, from http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/fispoi/commun/com06_06_05e.shtml Culp, S.J. (2004). NTP technical report on the toxicity studies of malachite green chloride and leucomalachite green (CAS Nos. 569-64-2 and 129-73-7) administered in feed to F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice. Retrieved June 29, 2005, from http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/htdocs/ST_rpts/tox071.pdf GESAMP (IMO/FAO/UNESCO-IOC/WMO/WHO/IAEA/UN/UNEP Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection). (1997). Towards safe and effective use of chemicals in coastal aquaculture. Reports and Studies, GESAMP. No. 65. Rome, Italy: FAO. Retrieved June 29, 2005, from http://www.fao.org/docrep/meeting/003/w6435e.htm Rao, K.V.K. (1995). Inhibition of DNA synthesis in primary rat hepatocyte cultures by malachite green: a new liver tumor promoter. Toxicology Letters. 81: 107-113. Srivastava, S., Sinha, R. & Roy, D. (2004). Toxicological effects of malachite green. Aquatic Toxicology. 66(3):319-329. Staniford, D. (2002). A big fish in a small pond: The global environmental and public health threat of sea cage fish farming. Paper presented at Sustainability of the salmon industry in Chile and the world,: Workshop organised by the Terram Foundation and the Universidad de los Lagos in Puerto Montt, Chile. June 5& 6, 2002. Retrieved June 29, 2005, from http://www.watershedwatch.org/ww/publications/sf/BigFishSmallPond(Chile).pdf For more information on malachite green or other food safety topics, please call the Food Safety Network toll-free at 1-866-50-FSNET or visit our website at www.foodsafetynetwork.ca
Although we strive to make the information on this fact sheet helpful and accurate, we make no representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding such information, and disclaim all liability of any kind whatsoever arising out of use of, or failure to use, such information or errors or omissions on this fact sheet. Copyright 2005 University of Guelph

June 30, 2005